Attractive copy of Nordberg’s biography of King Karl XII, provenance: Tersmeden

Jöran A. Nordberg: Leben Carl des Zwölften Königs in Schweden mit Münzen und Küpfern. 1-3.

Hamburg 1745-52. Folio. 39,5 x 25 cms. [16] + 118 + [6] + 123-578 + [4] + 585-704; + XVI + 768; + [10] + XX + 882 pp. + 3 engraved titles + 5 engraved portraits + 24 engraved plates / battle plans (13 folding). Text illustrated with c. 300 engraved vignettes and reproductions of coins and medals. Bound without half-titles.

Three volumes, contemporary lightly worn full calf, spines gilt in seven compartments, red edges, front covers with gilt initials C: T: for vice admiral Carl Tersmeden (1715-1797, Carlander II:475-6), all parts with neat ownership inscription ”P R Tersmeden” (colonel Pehr Reinhold Tersmeden, 1751-1842, Carlander II:786). Endpapers professionally renewed. A few short marginal tears and early marginal or corner repairs, a few leaves incl. title in the final volume with very faint dampstain in inner margin. An attractive copy.

Warmholtz 5954. Originally appeared in Swedish in 1740. This German translation is enlarged with several portraits, as well as all the plates, compared with the Swedish original. The portraits are of king Karl XII, Jöran Nordberg, king Fredrik I, king Adolf Fredrik, and young prince Gustav (III).

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